Improving air quality in order to protect the environment and public health from air pollutants while complying with statutory standards for permissible emissions.
Norilsk Nickel is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 “Good Health and Well-Being” and 11 “Ensuring openness, security, resilience and environmental sustainability of cities and towns”. The Company considers it crucial to reduce negative environmental impact of cities, including by focusing efforts on air quality improvement.
Reduction of SO2 emissions at the Norilsk Division as a result of project launch at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant
Reduction of SO2 emissions at the Norilsk Division as a result of project launch at Copper Plant
Keep other air emissions (NOx, solids, etc.) at one of the lowest levels in industry
Introduce air quality monitoring system to assess air
Compliance with best global practices and standards in air pollution related disclosure
To achieve our quantitative targets at Norilsk and Kola divisions, we are running the
1 as of result of project launch at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant
2 as of result of project launch at Copper Plant
To ensure the high quality of input data and raise awareness of local communities about pollutant emissions, the Company has rolled out an advanced air quality monitoring and forecasting system in Norilsk, Monchegorsk, Nickel and Zapolyarny. The automatic air control system is implemented both at industrial facilities and in settlements.
Timeline: pilot tests of the automatic air control system both at industrial facilities and in settlements are scheduled by the end of 2023.
Air pollutant emissions, kt
Air emissions by pollutant, kt
In 2022, the Group’s total emissions amounted to 1.8 mt, up 10.5% y-o-y. The growth was driven by the recovery of Norilsk Division’s production volumes after their reduction in 2021 as a result of suspended operations at two mines of Norilsk Concentrator. Kola Division’s emissions continued to decrease following the shutdown of several outdated metallurgical shops: total emissions went down by 18% y-o-y.